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Over 115 people were killed after a stampede broke out at a religious event organised by a self-styled guru, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, who has often claimed that he has worked with the Intelligence Bureau. He also told his devotees that he was inclined towards spirituality even when he was working and had resigned in the 1990s to pursue the spiritual path.
Born in Bahadur Nagari village in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district to a farmer, Nanne Lal, and Katori Devi, the self-styled guru's original name is Suraj Pal. He had two brothers, one of whom is dead, and completed his initial studies in the village. He was a head constable with the Local Intelligence Unit of the UP police. Pal claims he began working for the Intelligence Bureau after college and turned towards spirituality during his time there.
He left his police job in 1999 and then changed his name to Narayan Saakar Hari.
One of the distinguishing features of Narayan Hari as a guru is that he does not wear saffron clothes, preferring a white suit and tie. His other preferred attire is a kurta-pyjama. During his sermons, he says that he does not keep any amount from the donations that are given to him and spends it all on his devotees. His wife, Prem Bati, usually accompanies him.
Narayan Hari calls himself a disciple of Hari and has a sizeable following in western Uttar Pradesh.
At least 116 people were killed during a stampede at the 'satsang' organised in Narayan Hari's honour in Hathras district's Phulrai village on Tuesday. Police said the place where the event was held was too small to accommodate the crowd that had gathered there. A committee has been formed to investigate the incident and a case will be filed against the organisers.
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